Welcome to our third round-­‐up of news from the Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project.This time we can reveal our plans for this year's archaeology dig, some intriguing goings onabout payments for use of the important road from Dukesfield to Blaydon that are beingunveiled through our Reading the Past project and lots of snippets about recent andforthcoming activities. Read on to find out more.

We've opened up the view ......

The view, right, shows the arches in summer2008, with vegetation damaging the masonryand trees hemming in the view and seedingthe top of the arches.

Last year's consolidation work has eradicatedthese problems and over the winter somevery selective tree felling has been carriedout. This was done to prevent re-­‐seeding ofthe important areas close to the arches.

In addition it has opened up this view, right,of the arches (March 2014) and the excavatedchimney area from the mill leat above thetrack where, subjecvt to suitable access andsafety arrangements, we plan a viewingplatform for the site.

Smelters and Carriers ResearchFIGHTING FOR THE LEAD WAY

In the 1680s Sir William Blackett relied heavilyupon the carriage of lead from Dukesfield and hisother mills along the Lead Road through Greensidedown to the staithes at Stella and Blaydon. Thelocal landowner, Sir Thomas Tempest of Stella Hall,was alleged by Blackett to have been imposing hisown tolls on this lucrative passing trade – and thecarriage of other goods. It’s lucky for us thatBlackett brought a case against Tempest in theExchequer Court in London because it gave rise tothe recording of statements from a large number ofwitnesses (or ‘deponents’) in 1690, most of whomwere ordinary people working as carriers with theirhorses along the Lead Road. As part of our‘Reading the Past’ activity, the case papers (TheNational Archives) are being transcribed by projectvolunteer Michael Murphy of Crawcrook. They arestarting to reveal fascinating detail of the transportof goods by local people. Here is an early examplefrom Michael’s work.

Roger Newton of Mickley in the County ofNorthumberland yeoman aged twenty nine yearesor thereabouts Sworne & Examed.:

To the tenth Interogatory [question] this deponentsaith that about nine or ten yeares since thisdeponent comeing with a load or fother of wooddowne the peth or peth head was stopped at thesaid peth foot and hindered to goe with his saidCarriage over Bladon burne to the Low Leadhill byOne Christopher Tayler a Servant to the Defendant[ie. Sir Thomas Tempest] untill this Deponent madean Agreement for the said way whereupon thisDeponent agreed to pay the yearely sume of two

Shillings six pence to the Defendant for liberty topasse with his Carriage through the said peth orthrough Stella Eastfeild to the said Low Leadhillwhich said Sume this Deponent paid accordinglyone yeare.

Tempest was alleged to have blocked the road in thePeth Head area, not far from the present Path Headwatermill at Stella, but there is conflicting evidence:Whatwas the exact route followed by the road?Wasit a highway for carts & carriages or merely abridleway? Who was responsible for itsmaintenance? Was traffic really being stopped andcharged, and if so by whom?

Blackett held the view that the road from Hedley toBlaydon was a public highway with free access toeveryone, and questioned who was responsible forits upkeep. This affected his lead trade down whatwe now as the Lead Road.

Tempest claimed that the ground from RytonWoodside (Greenside) to Blaydon, particularly thelast few hundred yards of it from Path Head down atrack then called the Peth (now Summer Hill) washis own land and that he was entitled to charge forway leave. Although the extant papers do not givethe outcome of the case, later evidence suggeststhat Tempest won. The surviving Blackett accountbooks, starting in 1729, record an annual paymentof £1-­‐5s-­‐0d to Lord Widdrington for "wayleavethrough Stella freehold" chargeable to the leadmills. The 4th Baron Widdrington had acquired theStella Hall estate through his marriage to SirThomas Tempest's grand daughter.

Extract from a newlydiscovered map of thearea, made in 1766,showing the sectionsof road in dispute(private collection)

Archaeology in 2014 Photography

Budding archaeologists, and those who havealready taken part in our previous digs, shouldwatch out for an announcement soon aboutthe next phase of our archaeologyprogramme. This season, attention will focuson three questions -

• what was there between thetruncated end of the existing archesand the modern track ?

• what more can be learned about theleat ?

• are there any remains of the largebuilding, possibly a peat store, shownrunning between with the track and theburn east of the arches, in the 18thcentury plan ? This is believed to beone of the earliest buildings on site.

The photo below shows last year's volunteerdiggers taking a well-earned break (photo:Peter Jackson)

We are establishing a panel of enthusiasticvolunteer photographers to create aphotographic record of events through theSmelters and Carriers project.

On March 7th, Karen Melvin's beautiful studioin Slaley was filled to capacity for a workshopon practical photography skills conducted byKaren and Iain Duncan.

Participants with interests as diverse asarchaeology and cloud appreciation spent abusy day improving their visualisation andreportage skills.

In the picture below , Karen shows her work tothe volunteers (photo: Ian Hancock)

If you are interested in taking part in this year's archaeology, you can see dates and times, andbooking information, in the Diary Dates section on page 4 of this Bulletin. Whether you have takenpart in our or other digs, opr are a complete beginner, you will be most welcome.

Getting Involved

What's been happening ?

Lead Road ShowsWe’ve been out on the road, spreading the word about the project and recruiting new volunteers. InJanuarywe published our ‘Get Involved’ booklet with an overviewof all the project activities. Thesewerehanded out at our Lead Road Shows at Blaydon & Hexham libraries and The Allendale Tearooms.Thanks to the Road Shows lots more people at these strategic points of the lead route now know moreabout the project.A big thank you from us to staff at both libraries for being sowelcoming and interested in the project, anda special thank you to Wendy Pearson at Allendale Tea Rooms for being such a great host.

Volunteer ActivitySpare a thought for volunteers working on Dukesfield walking and cycle routes. They have beenresearching routes in the winter months just so everyone else can test and enjoy these new leafletsas the weather improves! Look out for invitations to join in.

Other volunteers have been planning our Spring events. Find out below if there is anything comingup that suits you or that you would like to know more about. To book, or for more information, emailus at Dukesfield@outlook.com, contact Mandy at 07513413935, or write to the addressbelow.

Diary Dates

Take part in the Community Play Readthrough with David NixonWeek beginning March 10th, date & venue to beannounced.

Printing Workshop 3. Drypoint & Press withJan BaxandallSaturday April 5th, Slaley Commemoration Hall.10am-4.30pm. Free workshop, BookingEssential

Dowsing with professional dowser EleanorBurkeintroduction, and practice at Dukesfield Arches,Saturday, April 12th, 10.30 am - 4pm

Heritage Cook Off. A day of discovering,remembering and tasting forgotten foods.Saturday April 19th, Slaley Commemoration Hall.10am start. Free Drop-in Event

Archaelogical Dig alongside professionalarchaeologist. 10am - 4pm daily, SaturdayMay 10th to Tuesday, May 27th, excludingWednesdays and Thursdays. Booking Essential

Copyright © 2014 Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers Project. Led by the Friends of the North Pennines (Charity No: 1137467) inpartnership with Hexhamshire and Slaley Parish Councils, with the active support of the landowner, Allendale Estates. It is fundedby the Heritage Lottery Fund and the generous support of other sponsors.

Dukesfield Smelters and Carriers ProjectFriends of the North Pennines,Weardale Business CentreStanhope, County Durham DL13 2UY

And there's more ! Camera obscura workshop, guided walks and pony trecking along thecarriers' ways, Slaley Show competitions, public talks, a touring exhibition and .....beer !